The traditional heritage textile crafts in the country are exceptionally rich and historic. Textiles like Baluchuri, Jamdani, Dhakai, Begumpuri silk, Muslin, Nakshi Kantha, Dhanekhali, Garodhe and Murshidabad silk, Tangail and Shantipuri silk and embroidery create the aesthetics and identity of the Indian persona. However, current interests in supporting handloom, and fair trade textiles is declining, which in turn has affected the livelihood of these skilled weavers. Many traditional weavers have begun to eschew their historic skills, which in turn, has affected the total universe of such craftsmen, jeopardizing the future of weaving. They seek alternative modes of livelihood, many drifting to urban centres in search of work. We at Sunblossom Foundation are, however, endeavouring to revive interest in Indian heritage textiles, by creating a model of sustainable economy for our affected weavers. By creating domestic and worldwide demand and appreciation of our cultural legacy, we expect to create a robust market grounded in sustainability and equity. Our effort is to market the produce and not just the style. Their work today, alas, has become a subset to a much larger canvas, which gives them little or no recognition.

With our show, we will, by taking you on a journey, introduce you with some of our selected and talented individuals. Each designer will be honoured and given due recognition for the beautiful garments they craft for us. All the textiles that you will observe on this website are handmade, handspun as well as handcrafted in Bengal by artisans working in their own homes. We feel privileged to work with such skilled weavers, who continue to promote their chosen craft, using traditional techniques that are handed over by their elders - parents and grandparents. It is our endeavour that in supporting the work of these skilled but imperilled artisans, the knowledge base will stand a fair chance of expanding and being increasingly pursued by their future generations

Handloom must be presented and understood as affordable luxury. India has the most diverse handwoven textiles traditions and we must ensure that the weaver/artisan benefits economically to treasure his skills. With competition from cheaper, mass produced, mill made textiles, handwoven fabrics need premium value and aggressive marketing. It has all the elements of green, which the universe today, is willing to choose as a preferred option. Handlooms of the traditional kind are not glamorous, they do not easily adapt to ramp shows, but with TIMELESS WEAVES....THE FULL CIRCLE, we will demonstrate a way. No longer should we believe that weaver/artisans should become just self sustaining. They are to be co-opted with designers. And, co-dependent. The creative expressions of the Bengali people are a complex blend of many media, each of which, together, communicates everything from the modern to the sublime. Our belief is that the future of fashion will emphasize the CIRCULAR. It will be restorative and regenerative by design. This would mean that the clothes we love should not be wasted after wear. We return to our ‘roots’ Our hope is to take you to a piece of our past. And this is the journey we are offering. SUSTAINABILITY means the Respect for Nature and the Respect for People. To be agents for change, we need to push boundaries and make beautiful garments in a way that is fit for the world we share, for today and for the future. For us, the future of fashion must be directed from this thought – use traditional textiles and weaves, which will lead to protecting old and endangered land and forests, while measuring our efforts with ground breaking initiatives. These efforts will create products in a way that ensure the environment remains in prime state, supports bio diversity and healthy eco systems and helps mitigate climate change by increasing the ability of soil to sequester carbon. We will respect the environment and work with nature, instead of against it. By continuing to source as many sustainable materials as possible, we expect to enrich our environment and protect it for the future